Teens Need Nurturing Just Like Flowers
I think it’s safe to say that most teens have felt Lonely at one time or another. I can remember when I started a new job working in a hospital. It seemed that I just didn’t fit in. I tried really hard to make friends. To me, I just was not getting anywhere. I wasn’t looking for personal or very close friendships. I just wanted a couple of good work related friendships. Well, I stayed at this job for close to two years. I’m glad that I didn’t give up.
Over time, people started finding me likable. I think they just needed that time to get to know me. I was able to develop a few good friendships at work. We worked hard together, we laughed together, we complained together, and we walked to our cars together! I really appreciated those few friendships I had while working there. Although I ended up making a few friends, as I mentioned before, I was very lonely at the start of that job.
There are so many things in life that can cause teens to feel lonely. Here are a few:
- Parents that don't listen
- Moving to a new location
- Going to a new school
- Unstable family
- Lack of friends
- Depression/chronic depression
- No family
- The start of a new job
This is a short list. I’m sure there are plenty more reasons that can be added to this list. Loneliness is a worldwide concern. There are even songs written about it.
How can teens deal with loneliness?
- Try to think more positively about loneliness. After all, loneliness can be good at times.
- Don’t isolate yourself. Seek the friendship of others. Perhaps you can join someone for a meal.
- Be a friend first. Listen to others. Be yourself. People will like you just because you’re, “You”.
- Help others. When we help others, we tend to forget about our own problems.
- Get out and do something physical (walking, bike riding, skating, or running). Do whatever physical exercise you enjoy doing.
- Try not to feel sorry for yourself. It’ll only make you feel worse. Turn your loneliness into something positive. This may be a good time to learn a new skill.
- Connect with your friends on line. If you don’t have any friends on line. Reach out and connect with new on line friends (just be very careful). I keep my on line friends on line (I treat my on line friends the same as work associates). That is unless I know them personally. Not close and not personal. We support one another on line. I could not do what I do if I didn't have support from many of them.
Sometimes when I’m going through a lonely period in my life, I just need someone to talk to. It’s usually my Mom. She raised five teenagers. When she’s not available, I do something else I like to do. Such as: read, sleep, eat, shop, go skating, ministry work, call someone, play with my kids, get on face book , watch a movie, pray, or even have a good cry.
The point is not to let loneliness overtake us. It can cause us to become very depressed; to the point of feeling helpless. So next time you start feeling lonely, remember you’re not alone.